Carton



' Ju y 1939- w. A. RINGLER 2,164,346

CARTON Filed Ju ne 24, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5, WIIIIHMIML w. A. RINGLER I 5 CARTON 0 July 4, 1939.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 195

INVENTOR 17mm flag QMTQ ATTORNEY Patented July 4, 19.39

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE CARTON William A. Bingler, Wayne, Pa assignor to National Folding Box Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporation of New Jersey Application June 24, 1936, Serial No. 86,917 g 13 Claims. This invention relates to cartons, and more particularly to a 'carton for the packaging of radio tubes, electric light bulbs and similar articles, which require testing to determine whether they are in good, serviceable condition before delivery to the customer. a

Customers generally require an actual .test of such articles as radio tubes and electric light bulbs to determine whether they are in serviceable condition before accepting delivery of same. Such test requiresthat the test end of the article be inserted in a suitable electric socket to determine whether the article properly responds to the curw rent or energy waves to which it is subjected.

'- Irresponsible dealers and bootleggers have heretofore taken advantage of this requirement by actually removing the article originally packed by the manufacturer in the carton, and inserting a used or inferior article its place. Legitimate 2t manufacturers naturally desire to safeguard their product and their customers against such operations, and to this end this invention is directed.

An object of this invention is to provide a carton especially adapted for the packaging of radio tubes; electric light bulbs, and similar articles, which permits full and complete test of the article before use, but which is so constructed as to prevent unauthorized removal of the original article from the carton. w

Elli Another object of this invention is to provide an improved carton for articles to be tested prior to use, which permits a limited movement of the article within the carton for purpose of test,

but which will efiectively prevent unauthoriz'ed to removal of the article therefrom, thus insuring delivery of the original article to the customer.

Still another object of this-invention is tov provide an improved carton for articles to be tested prior to salegwhich fullyprotects the article from injury resulting from externalshock, which permits quick manipulation of the article for purpose of test and yet positively prevents unauthorized-removal of the article therefrom, j which carton 'can' beinexpensively and coonomically manufactured, assembled and packed substantially entirely by automatic machinery, and which is susceptible of being formed into a variety of attractive designs and patterns.

Other objects of this invention will become 50, apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are be-- lieved to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its ch- 55 jects and advantages, and the manner in which Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the inner sleeve 10 as it appears when assembled;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner sleeve containing a tube-protecting shell about to be enclosed within the outer tubular member;

Fig. 5 shows the assembled carton having a radio tube packed therein, the test end of which has been ejected into test position, certain parts a.

being broken away to illustrate certain features of the construction;

Fig. 6 shows a blank from which the outer tubular member of a carton of somewhat modified form may be made;

Fig. 7- is a blank from which the inner tubular sleeve-telescoping within the outer tubular member formed from the blank shown in Fig. 6, may be made;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the outer tubular member and the inner sleeve assembled from the blanks shown in Figs. 6 and 7 respectively, as they appear when partly assembled;

Fig. 9 lsa perspective view of the carton as it appears fully assembled from the blank shown in Figs. 6 and 7, this view showing the test end of a radio tube ejected for purpose of test, certain parts being broken away to illustrateLthe internal construction thereof; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a carton-formed from the blank shown in Figs. 6 and ,7,.said blanks being assembled together in a somewhat different manner than that shown in Fig. 8.

vSimilar'reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

The carton forming the subject-matter of this invention is particularly designed for the packaging of radio tubes, electric light bulbs, and similar articles requiring test before use, which articleswill be hereinafter designated T. The carton comprises generally an outer tubular member'A which contains an inner sliding member B. The inner sliding member supports the article T which may be encased in a protective shell C. Means are provied to permit limited sliding movement of the inner sliding member within the outer tubular member so that the arnot be removed without mutilating or destroying the carton or otherwise leaving visible evidence that the carton has been tampered with and access to the article originally packed therein obtained.

Referring more. particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the outer tubular member A may be formed iromthe blank shown in Fig. 1, comprising side wall-forming sections I, 2, 3 and 4, defined by the longitudinally extending score lines 5. A closure section 5 hinged to the side wall section 2 along the score line 5 is arranged 'to overlap the side wall section I to form a closed tubular outer member. The manner in which the outer tubular member is closed and sealed will be discussed more in detail hereinafter.

Fig. 2 shows a blank from which the inner slidable' member B may be formed, comprising a bottom wall section II and a top wall section l2 connected to the side wall section III along the score lines I8. The bottom section II is provided with an opening I9 through which the test end p of the article T may project. The top wall section I2 is provided with a suitably shaped opening 20 through which an instrument, such as a finger, may be inserted to slidingly telescope the article within the outer tubular member. Side wall portions I3 and I6, hinged respectively to the bottom wall section II and the top wall section I2 along the score lines It, are provided with hook portions 2| which may be interlocked together when the article has been placed therein.

In packaging the carton, the article T is first telescoped into the corrugated shell C comprising the surrounding side walls 30. The shell C serves as a cushion to protect the fragile article against injury from shock. The inner member or sleeve B is' then wrapped around the article T and the protective shell C by first placing the test end of the article in supporting position on the bottom section II, with test prongs p projecting through the opening IS. The top wall section I2 is then placed over the top end of the article, the opening 20 serving to center the article in position. The side wall-forming portions I3 and ii are then swung into position and connected by means of hook portions 2| so that the side wall portions i3 and I5 form a fully assembled side wall section positioned opposite to the side wall section III.

The article T, corrugated protective shell C, and inner sleeve B, assembled as above described, is then ready to receive the outer tubular member. In performing this final assemby operation, the leg portions I5 and II of the inner sleeve are bent outwardly and the side wall sections I,

' 2, 8 and 4 of the outer member arewrapped around the sleeve as shown in Fig. 4. The side wall section I of the outer member is provided with a pair oi slits 25 which extend from the free edge of the section I inwardly a substantial distance so as to define a tab or ear 25. The tab or car 25 is inserted through an elongated slit 24 cut through the side wall section III of the inner sliding member. soas to lie between the inside face 0! the side wall section In and the adjacent outside face of the wall 30 oi the protective shell C. as fully shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The section 5 oi" the outer member is then positioned over the side wall section I, and is secured in position at each end thereof by the eyelets 29 whic may be inserted through the aligned openings 21in the sections I and 5. When thus arranged it will be noted that the inner sl g member B has a limited sliding movement within the outer tubular member A-which is defined by the length of the slot 24 and the width of the Fig. 5, the edge portion 25b will abut against the upper end 24b of the slot 24, shown in Fig. 5. The width 0! the tab 25 and the length oi the slot When the test portionsp oi the article T is ejected into test position, as shown in 2| is such as to permit the desired limited telescoping movement of the inner member B within the outer member A. The article T and inner member 13 are supported by the leg portions l5 or II, as the case may be, when the corresponding end of the carton rests on a supporting surface, such as a shell. Thus the article T is held out of contact with such supporting surface.

It will be noted that when the carton is assembled the tab 25 is completely concealed from view and is so arranged as to make it impossible to withdraw the tab 25 from its locked position without visibly mutilating the carton. The eyelets 25 are provided with edge portions 291: which overlap and press into the paperboard material, making it impossible to remove or loosen the eyelets 25 without mutilating the eyelets and the surrounding paper board material. The overlapping section 5 is thus permanently secured to the side wall section I to form a permanent tubular outer member which cannot be opened or released without visibly mutilating the material from which it is made. When the outer tubular member is sealed, it is impossible to insert any instrument in any manner into or between the side walls oi the carton to release the tab 25 from its locked inserted position.

There is shown in Fig. 6 a blank from which 'a somewhat modified form of outer tubular memportions I8 and I are then connected together by means of the hook portions 2i to enclose the article T and the inner protective shell 0. When thus assembled, the side wall portions I3 and it together form a side wall section oppositely arranged with respect to the side wall section III.

The outer tubular member is provided with a iiap portion Ii hinged at to the side wall section2 andafiapportion l2hingedat lltothe side wall section 4. The outer member is also provided withasecuringflap ll whichmaybe hingedtothesidewallsectionslorlalongthe.

score line 5.

In assembling the outer member around the assembled article-containing inner member, the fiapsll andflareturnedinwardlysoasto overlie the inside face 0! the side wall sections with which they are associated, shown in Fig. 8. The fiaps ll and 42 are each provided with tabs or ears ll which are inserted into longitudinally extending slits or slots 5| associated with the side wall section II of the side wall portion I5 ot the inner member respectively, which slits may extend from adjacent the top wall section article-containing shell. The leg portions l5.

and H are then turned outwardly and finally the securing flap section 40 is secured preferably to the inside face of the adjacent side wall section 4 as by the eyelets 29. .The outer tubular member is thus permanently held in tubular assembly and cannot be opened without visibly mutilating the outer member. As thus assembled, it will also be noted that it is impossible to insert any instrument into or between the 'walls of the carton to retract the tabs or cars 44 without mutilatlng the structure. It will be further noted that the eyelets 29"are so arranged with respect to the leg portions I5 and H that the eyelets 29 can be quickly applied by automatic machinery without interference from the leg portions l5 and I! or other parts of the construction. The sliding movement of the inner member is positively limited by the width of the tabs or ears 44 and the length of the slots. When the inner sliding member is in shipping 'or storage position, the lower edge portion Ma. of the tabs seat against the lower ends Bio of the slots 5! respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 8. When the test end 71 of the article is ejected into test position, the edge portion 44b of the tabs 4d will seat against the opposite end 5lb of the slots 5i, thus definitely l miting the test position of the inner slidingmember. The leg portions l5 when in test position are free to swing outwardly, as

shown in Fig. 9, so as not to interfere with the I free testing of the article.

While the outer tubular member may be made with only one flap and associated locking tab 46, it is generally desirable to provide two oppositely arranged flaps M and 42 with associated locking tabsld, so as to insure smooth sliding movement of the inner member within the outer member. The friction exertedby the sidewalls of the outer member against the inner sliding member and associated protecting sleeve, as well as the friction exerted between the tabs 44 and the edges of the slots 5|, is sufficientto hold and normally maintain the article T completely housed within the outer tubular member. A slight pressure on the inner sliding member or the article is only required to eject the same into test position and to retract the same into the outer tubular member.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a cartonassembly in which the slots 5| are arranged adjacent to the head and/or top wall section I2 of the carton.

If desired, however, the slot Si in the side wall sections of the inner sliding member may be positioned adjacent the ejecting end or bottom end section I I of the carton, as shown in Fig. 10.

The cartons herein described provide highly satisfactory and serviceable packaging mediums for radio tubes, electric light bulbs-and like-articles which must be protected against damage and injury during shipment and storage and from unauthorized pilfering of the original contents. The inner member slides within the outer tubular member smoothly and evenly with just sufficient friction to prevent the article from being ejected by jars in a test position, but requiring only a slight pressure on the article T or on the inner sliding member to efiect ejec- "packed therein cannot be removed therefrom tion of the test portion p of the article for unobstructed testing. The leg portions IE or 11 serve to support the inner sliding member in housed position within the outer member when the carton is placed on a supportingsurface, such as a shelf. The leg portions at the lower end of I the carton freely swing outwardly so as to be completely out of'the way when the test of the article is being made. The leg portions at the other end of the sliding inner member support the head end of the article away from the surface on which the carton rests, should the carton be placed on the supporting surface in an upside down position. The cartons herein disclosed can be economically made with a mini-.

mum of paperboard material and can be assembled and packed automatically and substantially entirely without hand operation. The cartons are so constructed that the original articles as the use'ris assured of obtaining the article originally packed in the carton in good and serviceable condition.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made bythose skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

i. A- carton for a radio tube and the like including, an outer tubular member, an inner tube supporting member telescoping within said outer member, said outer member and inner supporting member having a cooperating slit and tab means 'asswiated therewith permitting limited telescoping movement only of said inner member within the outer member, said cooperating means being so arranged as to be inaccessible .from outside the container, said slit being of limited predetermined length and wholly surrounded by the material from which the member with which the slit is associated, is made.

2. A carton for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member, and an inner tube-supporting member adapted to telescope within said outer membensaid inner member having end wall portions and side wall. portions connecting said end wall portions, said outer member and inner member having a cooperating slit and tab associated therewith permitting limited telescopic movement of said inner member moval of the tube without leaving telltale evidence of tampering.

3. A carton for a radio tube and the like including, an outer tubular member, an inner tubesupporting member'telescoping within said outer member, a guide slit of limited predeternnned length out in said inner member and wholly sur- 7 rounded by'the material from which said inner member is made, a guide tab projecting from said outer member and extending through said guide slit permitting limited telescopic movement of said inner member within the outer member, and means associated with said outer member covering and concealing said guide tab so as to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

4. A carton for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member having side wall panels forming a container of generally rectangular form, and an inner tube-supporting member adapted to telescope within said outer member, said inner member having end wall sections and side wall sections connecting said end wall sections, said outer member having an integral tap portion extending inwardly from one end thereof adapted to interlockingly engage with a slit of predetermined length cut in said inner member to permit limited telescoping move-' ment thereof within defined limits only and means for sealing said outer member in fixed tubular position which cannot be detached without leaving visible evidence of tampering.

5. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member having side wall-forming sections, and an inner tube-supporting member adapted to telescope within said outer member, said outer member having an integral tab portion adapted to be inserted into an enclosed opening in said inner member so as to permit limited telescoping movement only of said inner member within the outer member, and

means for permanently sealing said outer member in fixed tubular position.

6. A container for radio tubes and the like including, a tubular outer member, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping within said outer member, a guide tab extending laterally from said outer member projecting through an elongated guide slot in said inner member so as to permit limited telescoping movement of said inner member within the outer member, said outer member having a side wall section adapted to o'verlie said guide tab so as to prevent uri'authorized release of said guide tab from said guide slot without leaving visible evidence of tampering 7.-A container for radio tubes and th like including, a protective shell, an article-supp rting member enclosing said protective shell, and an outer tubular member having side walls enclos ing said article-supporting member, said articlesupporting member including 'end wall sections and a side wall section connecting said end wall sections, said outer tubular member having a guide flap integrally formed with one of said side walls inserted between said inner protective shell and said side wall section, said guide fiap extendingvinto an enclosed opening of predetermined length limiting and defining the extent of sliding movement of said inner member in said outer tubular member. f 8. A package for radio tubes and the like including, an inner protective shell enclosing the tube, an inner member surrounding said protective shell, and an outer member enclosing said inner member, said outer member having an integral guide flap insertedinto an enclosed slit cut in said inner member to limit and define the sliding movement thereof.

9. A package for radio tubes and the like including, an inner protective shell enclosing the tube, an inner member surrounding said protective shell, and an outer member enclosing said inner member, said outer. member having an integral guide fiap extending from one edge thereof having a portion inserted intoa slit of predetermined length cut in said inner member to limit and define the sliding movement thereof.

10. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer member, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping within said outer member, said inner member including end wall sections and side wall sections connecting said end wall sections, one of said end wall sections having an opening through which the test end of the tube may be projected for test purposes, and a projecting portion integrally formed on one of said members cooperating with a slit opening provided on the other member to define and limit the telescoping movement of the test end of the tube, said slit opening being of limited predetermined length and being wholly surrounded by the material of said member with which the slit opening is associated.

11. A container for radio tubes and the likeincluding,- an outer member, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping withinv said outer member, said inner member including end wall sections and side wall sections connecting said end wall sections, one of said end wall sections having an opening through which the test end of the tube may be projected for test purposes, a flap associated with said outer member projecting inwardly into the container, a tab associated with said flap and a slit in one of said side wall sections cooperating with said tab to define and limit the telescoping movement of the test end of the tube.

12. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer tubular member having enclosing side wall panels, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping within said outer member, said inner member including end wall sections and side wall sections connecting said end wall sections, a fiap formed integrally with one of said side wall panels projecting inwardly into'the container, a tab associated with said fiap, and a slit of predetermined length cut in one of said side wall sections and operative to cooperate with said tab to define and limit the telescoping movement of the test end of the tube.

13. A container for radio tubes and the like including, an outer member comprising enclosing side walls, an inner member adapted to contain a tube telescoping within said outer member, said 

